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Contribution to Book
Legal Framework for the Sustainable Production of Non-Eatable Products of an Agricultural Origin: the Example of Biofuels
Food and Agricultural Law, Readings on Sustainable Agriculture and the Law in Nigeria (2015)
  • Evgenia Pavlovskaia
Abstract

Issues of sustainable agriculture have much relevance and urgency for the sustainable production of non-eatable products that have an agricultural origin, such as biofuels. In the chapter the opinion is expressed that joint legal regulations on sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable farming methods for eatable and non-eatable products of an agricultural origin can be an efficient solution for different industry branches. Joint regulations of this kind are desirable, because natural resources for farming different crops, primarily land and water, environmental laws for their use and socio-economic conditions have much in common. The chapter investigates what issues of sustainable agriculture are relevant for the production of non-eatable products of an agricultural origin on the example of biofuels. The concept of sustainable agriculture in connection to the sustainable production of biofuels of an agricultural origin is explored and analyzed. The correlation between the desired production volumes and the carrying capacity of the Earth’s biosphere is emphasized. The necessity to preserve biodiversity and the quality of soil, water and air and to diminish the use of pesticides and fertilizers is highlighted. A careful approach to the use of genetically modified organisms supported by the precautionary principle is prioritized.

Keywords
  • Sustainable agriculture,
  • agricultural law,
  • sustainable farming,
  • production of non-eatable products of an agricultural origin,
  • food versus biofuels
Publication Date
Spring 2015
Editor
Ako, R., Olawuyi, D.
Publisher
Afe Babalola University Press, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
ISBN
978-1926832272
Citation Information
If biofuels are aimed at providing local fuel security and rural development, their impacts and the involved sustainability issues will be different from the situation where biofuels are produced for export as a global supplement to the traditional fossil fuels. That is why there is a need to analyze, evaluate and explicitly compare the results of biofuel production for different types of biofuels, with the purpose to find their most appropriate types and sustainable production methods. There is also a recommendation to follow the precautionary principle, which is an established practice in environmental law.